How much does a life make in San Francisco?
$77,670a year
Median yearly pay for lifes in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $37.34 an hour or $6,473 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.34
- Vs. national median
- +25%
- Rank among cities
- 16 of 182
- Jobs in the area
- 1,880
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $57,840Median: $77,670Highest 10%: $123,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,840 | $27.81 | |
| 25th | $63,810 | $30.68 | |
| Median | $77,670 | $37.34 | |
| 75th | $101,600 | $48.84 | |
| 90th | $123,400 | $59.34 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for lifes.
| Bakersfield, CA | $87,180 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $86,450 |
| San Jose, CA | $83,160 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,180 |
| Riverside, CA | $76,630 |
| San Diego, CA | $75,970 |
| Oxnard, CA | $74,100 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $66,290 |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,240 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,510 |
| Fresno, CA | $57,310 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Materials Scientist | $231,700 |
| Psychologist | $168,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $166,400 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $165,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $160,200 |
| Hydrologist | $147,100 |
| Economist | $142,400 |
| Biological Scientist | $138,200 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $136,300 |
| Life Scientist | $134,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $37.34 ($77,670 a year).
Do lifes make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $77,670 against $62,280 nationally, 25% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $78,350, so San Francisco pays 1% less.
Where does San Francisco rank for life pay?
16 of 182 metro areas with data.
How much does a life make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $57,840 or less a year; the top 10% make $123,400 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.